Right front close-up

Sd.Kfz. 234/4 Panzerspähwagen, ’39 – ’45 Series

Top Side Markings

P-39 Q/N Airacobra

Completed model

OKB Chelomey 16KhA Priboy Soviet Air Launched Missile

Paint scheme and associated brands

Messerschmitt Bf109S "Schule Emil"

Finished Model - Tail Decals Closeup

USAF KC-135E

Color Schemes

FIAT G.50 bis/AS "Freccia"

View from above of finished German staff car.

German Staff Car

Engine detail

F4F-4 Wildcat

Completed 2

Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant

Main gear

C-17A Globemaster III

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Welcome to the IPMS/USA Reviews site!

Introduction: The primary organization of the IPMS/USA Review website is by IPMS/USA National Contest Class. Within each Class there are sub-menus by kits, decals, books, etc. The Miscellaneous Class is for items that are not class specific or that cross two or more classes.

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Manufacturers, publishers, and other industry members: IPMS/USA is pleased to offer your company the opportunity for product reviews. All product reviews are performed by IPMS/USA members, and are posted in the publicly-accessible section of our website. With very few exceptions, we perform full build reviews of new kit releases, aftermarket products, and supplies. If you would care to provide product samples for review, please contact John Noack, IPMS/USA 1st VP.

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Box Top

King TIger Tank (Henschel Turret) Sd.Kfz.182
Review Author
Steve Zajac
Published on
Company
Cyber-Hobby
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$14.95

This kit is a re-boxing of an earlier kit, with a photo etch fret, vinyl tracks, and decals. According to the website: "Cyber-Hobby is well known for its fantastic Orange Box tank and figure set combos in 1/35 scale. These special sets provide updated Dragon kits that have not been available for some time and at competitive prices."

Detail is excellent for this scale, and goes together without any glitches. You get decals for 3 tanks dated 1944-1945 located in Andler, the Eastern Front, and Germany. 2 tanks are three tone camo, one is two tone. The kit went together without a glitch, there's only 8 total steps:

Package

P-40 Warhawk Landing Gear (Has)
Review Author
Rod Lees
Published on
Company
Scale Aircraft Conversions
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$13.95

Continual thanks to one of our steadfast IPMS supporters, Ross at SAC, and to IPMS leadership for providing the set to me for review. Yes, it’s metal gear time again!

This set is the usual drop-in replacement for the Hasegawa series 1/48 P-40 warhawks. Parts include two main gear struts with torque links integrated, two side braces, retraction arms, and a tail gear. The tail gear is particularly welcome, as it is a typical offset one-arm tail gear, prone to damage from shelf abuse, moving models while dusting, or the occasional home pet attack.

Not much to say: Build the kit, then install the gear when you want. In this case, I assembled the airframe, and installed the gear so the kit would have something to stand on while I painted it. The pictures speak for themselves; the metal gear is a direct replacement for the kit items and fit with no problem.

Box Art: Dragon Models Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M with Schurzen

Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M with Schurzen
Review Author
Joe LoMusio
Published on
Company
Dragon Models
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$24.99

The Panzer III Ausf.M was an improvement of the previous J through L versions, with extra superstructure front and mantlet of 20 mm of armor. It also was equipped with fording exhaust which allowed deeper river crossings. The gun was the standard long barrel 50 mm (1.97 in) KwK 39 L60. It also had six 90 mm NbK smoke dischargers, three mounted on each side of the turret. The Ausf.M could also be equipped with protective steel plates, called Schurzen, designed to protect the turret area from enemy anti-tank weapons. Further armor protection were large steel plate skirts suspended from either side of the chassis. A total of 1000 were ordered, but only 250 were completed. The Panzer III Ausf.M took part in the greatest tank battle of all time, the Battle of Kursk in July 1943. It is the Kursk Panzers that are depicted in this Dragon’s 1/72 Armor Pro series.

Package

Messerschmitt Bf-109G Opened Cockpit’s Rear Bulkhead – Standard
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$8.50

This set is the first set that I can remember that allowed the modeler to pose the bulkhead behind the pilot in the open position. This will definitely set your Bf-109 apart from the rest. The one thing that comes to mind immediately is adding this set to make a Galland like opening with the lobsters and champagne. Yes I know that was an F model but you get the idea.

Molded in light grey resin with the minimal resin flash, there are three parts for this set. There are four parts on the two pour blocks but you only need the three. The big piece is a one piece affair that will slide nicely into your kit. You will have to remove the pour block on this piece but after that it is already done for you. The bulkhead is a direct replacement for the kit part, but this piece is opened so you can see into the storage area. The access door has detail on both sides, a very nice touch.

Package

Messerschmitt Bf-109G Cockpit’s Rear Bulkhead Closed
Review Author
Floyd S. Werner Jr.
Published on
Company
Quickboost
Scale
1/48
MSRP
$5.00

I’ve built three of the Eduard Bf-109s and absolutely loved the finished product. Is it over-scaled? Slightly. Get over it. It is a nice 1/47th scale model. I can’t wait for their reengineered one too.

That said there are a lot of really nice things to do with the kit. The rear bulkhead is a separate item added when the fuselage halves go together. This little gem of resin has the bulkhead with the access door closed. This part is properly proportioned and has the proper relief of the door. Adding it to the model will be easy enough and the part is a direct replacement for the kit part.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can get yours directly from Aires at https://www.aires.cz/en/ or at your local hobby shop or online retailer.